Matthew M. Scudder

Published: Friday, Aug. 30, 2013 1:15 a.m. CST

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Matthew M. Scudder

DIXON – Matthew Merle Scudder passed peacefully with his family by his side Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, after an extended illness.

Matt was born Nov. 24, 1954, in Dixon, to Merle and Joyce (Miller) Scudder. Matt attended Dixon schools and furthered his education at the University of Illinois with a major in architecture. He was a member of the professional architecture fraternity, Alpha Rho Chi.

Matt started his career with Commonwealth Edison at the Cordova nuclear power plant. He was soon transferred to the Byron facility which was under construction at that time, and was one of the members of the first Nuclear Reactor Operators for the Byron location. Matt’s expertise in the construction trades and his architectural knowledge was an asset to many people and a wonderful resource to many construction projects. Matt also established “Precision Design,” a vinyl sign shop in the Northern Illinois area.

After his employment with Exelon ended, Matt became an avid bicyclist, and participated in “The Big Ride” across the U.S. for the American Lung Association. He also started to pursue a career as an instructor in CAD design through Rock Valley College, transferring to Southern Illinois University.

Matt’s ability to communicate may have been taken away, but the impact he had in many lives will be felt in our hearts forever. His sense of humor will always make us laugh and bring a smile to our faces.

He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer “Jenna” Scudder of DeKalb; son, Ryan of Williston, N.D.; his mother, Joyce Snyder of Dixon; his surviving siblings, Gary (Patti) Scudder of Dixon, Kathy (Tom) Vitek of Stillwater, Okla., Laurie Scudder of Rockford, Jim (Lisa) Snyder of Newark, and Paula (Mike) Reed of St. Charles; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Merle Scudder; and stepfather, James Snyder.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday and a celebration of life at 3 p.m. Sunday at Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon, with the Rev. Dalmus Meeks, pastor of Harvest Time Bible Church in Rock Falls, officiating.

Matt’s family will be establishing a fund for CTE–Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Research. Also, in lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon.

The family would like to say thank you to the caregivers of Dixon Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center and Serenity Hospice for their loving care they gave Matt.